Segments in this Video

Pink and Blue(02:20)

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View a disclaimer for reporting on opinions regarding sex and gender. Boys and girls were once clearly defined by clothing and activities. In this documentary, Katie Couric explores America's changing gender terrain, including distinguishing between birth anatomy and gender identity.

Gender Revolution(02:10)

Couric grew up in a binary gender culture during the 1950s; Mary Tyler Moore inspired her to pursue broadcast journalism. The concept of gender is evolving as identity and categorization are no longer linked to birth anatomy.

Gender 101(03:18)

Author and gender activist Sam Killermann defines the concepts of gender identity, gender expression, and biological sex. Gender is different than sexual orientation; external genitalia do not dictate gender.

Development of External Genitalia(02:03)

Embryos begin with female genitalia; testosterone develops the clitoris into a penis and fuses the labia. Female gonads turn into ovaries; male gonads turn into testes. Learn about the intersex condition.

Intersex(02:18)

Brian Douglas has congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH); he was born with a penis and a uterus. Doctors advised his parents to have surgery based on his phallus size; the "Phall-O-Meter" demonstrates the arbitrary nature of gender assignments.

Raised in the Wrong Gender(02:25)

Douglas' parents did not question his gender assignment surgeries. He discusses being raised as a woman while identifying as a man, and learning the truth about his intersex condition. He is now in testosterone therapy.

Gender Malleability Theory(01:53)

Dr. John Money believed that nurture could supersede nature and tested his theory on identical twins. Raised as a girl, David Reimer reverted to a male identity as a teenager and later committed suicide. Money's protocol for operating on intersex babies became widely accepted.

Predetermined Gender Study(03:09)

Sixteen intersex children had an XY chromosome but were born without penises. Most had vaginas surgically constructed and were raised as girls; two thirds felt they were boys. Douglas believes gender assignment surgery is inhumane.

Rosie Lohman's Story(03:02)

One in every 1500 to 2,000 babies are born intersex. Rosie, 4, was born with CAH; doctors recommended cosmetic surgery but her parents want to wait until she is old enough to decide.

Parental Dilemma(02:38)

Dr. Sumit Dave explains that while most intersex children identify as girls, the 10% identifying as boys will be traumatized by gender assignment surgery. Georgiann Davis argues that surgery violates children’s human rights. The Lohmans want Rosie to have a choice.

Ellie Ford's Story(04:16)

Testosterone levels during pregnancy wire the brain to identify with a specific gender. The Ford family's youngest son identifies as a girl. Her parents discuss their decision to support her transgender identity.

Gender Transition in Childhood(02:26)

The Ford family's social network has supported Ellie's transgender identity. Her parents will allow her to live as a girl as long as she wants; she is unlikely to change her mind. The real challenge will happen during puberty.

Transgender Brains and DNA(02:37)

Evidence shows brain areas correlating with gender identity, rather than with external body parts. A 2012 study on twins found genetic links to transgender identity.

Transyouth Project(02:17)

Americans identifying as trans have doubled in the past five years. Ally Hudson, 12, participates in a 20 year longitudinal study assessing the development of transgender and gender nonconforming kids.

Ally Hudson's Story(03:14)

Ally was gender assigned as a boy, but identifies as a girl. Her mother Cristina discusses parenting pressure. When Ally alluded to suicide, she realized her child was not just "going through a phase."

Puberty Blockers(02:27)

Developmental hormonal changes "betray" transgender children; puberty blockers buy more decision making time. Ally discusses her decision to get a two year implant. Joshua Safer says they are relatively safe and reversible.

Camp Outdoors!(03:28)

Transgender teens take hormone therapy to align with their gender identity. The changes are permanent and individuals must undergo comprehensive assessments. Some parents worry it is a phase, but there are high suicide rates among transgender youth.

Kate Rohr's Story(03:29)

An orthopedic surgeon, Kate knew from age four that she was in the wrong body, but was forced to live as a boy. She fell in love, got married and had a family. She discusses telling her wife Linda about her true gender.

Accepting a Spouse's True Gender(02:43)

Kate's wife Linda discusses being married to a transgender person and saying goodbye to her husband Bill before the surgery. Kate waited until Linda was comfortable with the idea to transition; their son Matt supports his parents.

Marriage after Transitioning(02:43)

Kate explains why she chose to have gender confirmation surgery. Linda talks about how their relationship shifted since Kate's operation. Despite now being married to a woman, she does not identify as a lesbian.

Socioeconomic Marginalization (01:32)

The dating app Tinder has a transgender option. Despite increasing popularity, transgender people do not feel safe from hate crimes and suffer high unemployment rates. More transgender people were murdered in 2016 than in any other year.

Empowering Transgender Women(03:19)

Transgender franchise owner Michaela Mendelsohn is creating a safe place at Los Angeles El Pollo Loco locations. Employees describe discrimination in former fast food positions and increased self-esteem since working for Mendelsohn. Many of her hires enter management.

Transgender Rights and Public Bathrooms(01:23)

Nineteen states passed laws prohibiting gender identity discrimination in the workplace. North Carolina's HB2 law says transgender people must use bathrooms matching their birth gender. The Obama Administration reversed this decision in public schools, sparking a national debate.

Gavin Grimm's Story(05:10)

Gavin Grimm, 17, is a transgender teen living in Virginia. His high school principal granted permission to use the boy's bathroom. View footage of parents lambasting the Gloucester County School Board on religious and sexual deviance grounds. Gavin defends his right to the public restroom.

Transgender Bathroom Supreme Court Case(01:15)

The Gloucester County School Board ruled that Gavin could no longer use the men's room, giving him a unisex option. Gavin wants equal rights to other students, and believes publicity from his case will benefit other transgender children—regardless of its outcome.

Gender Policies on Campus(02:11)

Yale University re-labeled unisex bathrooms as All Gender restrooms; transgender students have the right to live in the dorms of their affirmed gender. Diplomas are now issued in affirmed names, rather than in birth names.

Gender Identity Terms(04:43)

Yale University LGBT students educate Couric on using third person pronouns and define cisgender, pangender, A.F.A.B., A.M.A.B., transgender, and gender fluidity. They discuss how the internet and social media contributed to the Gender Revolution.

Third Gender Cultures(04:32)

Anthropologist Paul Vasey studies fa'afafine people in Samoa. The hijra in India and the muxe in Oaxaca have rights. The Talmud references six different genders.

Renée Richards(01:45)

A transgender pioneer, Richards transitioned in 1975. She became a household name when she played in the U.S. Open after suing the U.S. Tennis Association for gender discrimination.

Gender Identity Viewpoints (05:31)

Richards describes transitioning in 1975, before the concept of transgender existed. She sees gender in binary terms, while transgender actress and model Hari Nef sees gender in fluid terms—representing a generational gap.

Gender Revolution Summary(02:16)

Couric reflects on her journey across America interviewing members of the transgender community and learning about their challenges and hopes for the future. (Credits)

Description

Gender and sexuality can be fluid, and today transgender issues are altering the nature of day-to-day interactions. What do you do when your seven-year-old son announces that he wants to be a girl? Or your husband of 30 years announces that he wants to be a woman? Broadcasting legend Katie Couric (former co-host of NBC’s Today, CBS Evening News anchor and 60 Minutes correspondent) takes us on a unique journey to discover the dynamics and complexities of gender in our world. To better understand this complicated social and scientific issue, Couric crisscrossed the U.S. to talk with scientists, psychologists, surgeons, activists, authors and families to learn more about the role of genetics, brain chemistry and modern culture on gender fluidity. She also speaks with a number of ordinary people who find their bodies and their lives on the front line of a rapidly changing world. Examining the role of politics and culture on gender and with conversations that range from the scientifically enlightening to the deeply personal, Couric’s unflinching search for truth sheds light on countless untold stories of struggle, understanding, ignorance, hurt and love.